The IE community of members, Directors and the Supervisory Committee gathered online to talk business and share opinions before voting commenced.
In a change from previous years, when the General Assembly has been held in-person in conjunction with the annual conference, with online presence an optional extra for those not attending the conference, this year’s General Assembly was held online only.
We were invited to gather online on Monday 25 May 2026. Any member who registered beforehand held the right to vote in the following 24-hour period, regardless of attendance at the meeting – that was 50 members.
The meeting was chaired by Eva Sandberg, Chair of the Supervisory Committee, and the matters included the annual reports for 2025, the status and outlook for 2026 presented by IE Director Helena Vičič, the candidates for the Supervisory Committee elections, and any motions presented by members. The full minutes have been emailed to members and you are invited to comment or offer suggested amendments up until 31 July when the draft will be accepted as final.
The results of the member votes were included in the email to all members. In summary, all motions were unanimously accepted.
The exciting news from this is that, in addition to renewing Jurn Buisman’s standing on the Supervisory Committee for a second term, we also welcome a new member to the committee. Many of you will already know or have heard of Carol Ritchie, formerly the CEO of the EuroParc Federation, and we welcome her and look forward to having her aboard to help steer the next exciting phase of IE’s development.
Let’s find out a bit more about Carol…
IE: You grew up in Stirling, Scotland, UK – a medieval town with lots of stirring history and stories. How much has this influenced your life and career?
Carol: Yes, my grandfather was a guide at Stirling Castle, a site that holds much of our nation’s story, and I come from a family of storytellers, so I suppose interpretation is in my blood, although I didn’t realise it. The Scottish countryside definitely influenced my early career, training as an ecologist and then a teacher, and bringing nature to life as a ranger and park manager.
IE: And this led to your work with EUROPARC – Do you see any similarities with IE?
Carol: Absolutely! The EUROPARC Federation is a non-governmental member organisation, providing a forum to share professional experience, collaborate on technical projects and progress common aims, for all those working to protect Europe’s natural heritage. Apart from the obvious synergies, I hope that my 17 years’ experience working for a German Verein and all the intricacies of the German system, as well as European funding streams, will be valuable support to the IE team.
IE: What are you most looking forward to in IE’s future?
Carol: When with EUROPARC, I had frequent contact with IE and have watched you develop and grow over the years. I hope I can offer some perspective and advice, building on the great work that has already been done, that would look at options for the infrastructure of the organisation to bring some foundational stability and strategic planning. I would also want to ensure IE retains and builds deeper connections to the natural heritage community and I will advocate and support that.
IE: And, finally, what might we find you doing on your days off? Can we get a little insight into what interests you and keeps you occupied when you’re not working?
Carol: Currently, my work revolves around my puppy, Biscuit, but when she lets me, I am lucky to have multiple interests and hobbies that I participate in. I have for a very long time taken part in various Scottish dance traditions, and in more recent years I have married that with playing the clarsach (Scottish harp). In between, I am in the garden or cooking my home-grown fruit and vegetables or off further afield – walking in the Scottish hills with Biscuit, where I may stop and fly fish on a wee loch. I round off most days by enjoying a good malt whisky.
IE: That all sounds perfect, and very Scottish!
Welcome once again to the IE family. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.
To cite this article: IE News Team (2026) “IE General Assembly and new Supervisory Committee member”, Interpret Europe Newsletter Summer 2026, pp. 9–10. Available online: Interpret Europe Newsletter Summer 2026.
